Kinston is a city in Lenoir County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 21,677 at the 2010 Census. It has been the county seat of Lenoir County since its formation in 1791. Kinston is located in the coastal plains region of Eastern North Carolina.In 2009, Kinston won the All-America City Award. This marks the second time in twenty one years the city has won the title, the last time being in 1988.